Women not to be allowed to enter temple vault for inventory

The decision was taken at an urgent meeting of the committee after the temple authorities yesterday objected to a woman expert from the Archaeological Survey of India entering the chamber for the inventorying.

Temple officials held that women are not permitted to enter the temple vaults as it was against the customs and traditions of the shrine.

"After the meeting discussed the issue, we have decided not to permit women, even though they are inventory officials, into the temple vaults. Entry of women into the vaults is against the age-old customs of the temple," temple Executive Officer V K Harikumar told PTI.

"One or two women are there among the experts who are designated to enter the vaults as part of the inventory. But we cannot allow them," he said, adding, women employees of the temple do not work in the vicinity of vaults.

He also said the expert committee would make substitute arrangements to fill the vacancy.